Baby Animals in Madikwe – Part III: Baby Elephants

Part III of our Baby Animal Series: Little Baby Elephants are visiting us at the waterhole right in front of Rhulani Safari Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve. You can also see them playing in the mud on your game drive. The Moms are very protective of their little ones.

There are more than 1000 Elephants in Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa. Elephants are very sociable animals and form very special bonds with their family members and friends. They also have an incredible memory, are highly sensitive / empathic and very intelligent. You can see them happily greeting each other and wrapping their trunks together when they see a friend at a waterhole (as in the video).

Elephant Family Structure – Matriarch

An Elephant herd consists of a “Matriarch” (oldest Female), her daughters and calves. Elephant bulls lead a solitary life or team up with other Bachelors.

The Females assist each other with taking care of the Baby Elephants. When a herd is in search for food or water, the Matriarch leads the way, followed by the Baby Elephants and an adult Elephant in the end – all walking in a line, one by one.

Gestation Period - Elephant

22 months

Elephants have the longest pregnancy of all mammals. When a little Baby Elephant is born it weighs between 80-100kg and can walk immediately.

Content / Photos / Video: Dagmar Roscher